Richmond Hill, Georgia, September 8, 2025
News Summary
ECI Group has broken ground on The Averly Richmond Hill, a $60 million mixed-use development along Ford Avenue in Richmond Hill, Georgia. The project will deliver 291 residential units — 243 apartments and 48 three-story townhomes with two-car garages — plus more than 3.5 acres of retail pad sites with high-visibility frontage. On-site amenities will include an 8,400 sq ft clubhouse, fitness center, co-working space, pool, dog park and amenity courtyards. ECI Construction leads construction with financing from Synovus and CIBC; retail pads are being marketed for ground lease and tenant fit-out.
The Averly Richmond Hill Breaks Ground: $60M, 291 Units and 3.5+ Acres of Retail Pads on Ford Avenue
Fast summary
Developer ECI Group has started construction on The Averly Richmond Hill, a $60 million mixed‑use project along Ford Avenue in Richmond Hill, Georgia. The development will include 291 residential units and more than 3.5 acres of retail pad sites fronting a busy corridor. Ground‑level retail is planned across two separate parcels, and pad sites will be offered for ground lease with pad‑ready delivery scheduled for Q1 2026.
What’s being built
The community combines multifamily apartments and townhouse residences. The residential mix includes 243 apartment residences made up of one‑, two‑ and three‑bedroom floor plans and 48 three‑bedroom townhomes with two‑car garages. Apartment floor plans range from about 770 to 1,449 square feet, while the townhomes measure roughly 1,851 to 1,984 square feet.
Unit features and finishes
Unit interiors will follow an open concept and include in‑unit laundry, walk‑in closets, large kitchen islands, and a private balcony or patio for every home. Finishes reported for the project include vinyl plank hardwood‑style flooring, quartz countertops with undermount sinks, designer cabinets and light fixtures, tiled kitchen backsplashes and bathroom surrounds, and stainless steel appliances. Ceiling fans are planned for bedrooms and living areas.
Amenities and site layout
Onsite amenities will include an 8,400‑square‑foot clubhouse with a clubroom, a state‑of‑the‑art fitness center, a co‑working area, an automated package facility, an expansive pool, a dog park, and two amenity courtyards. Retail acreage exceeds 3.5 acres, set up as pad sites for ground lease on two parcels. The entire development sits on a reported 30‑acre site on Ford Avenue about 18 miles southwest of Savannah.
Location and market context
The project site is less than one mile from I‑95 and located in the center of Richmond Hill’s growing retail and commercial district with direct access to primary highways and area job centers. Traffic counts near the site are reported at more than 15,000 vehicles per day. Major employers in the area include large industrial and aerospace employers as well as the port and military installations, a positioning that the developer views as a draw for both residents and retailers. The community will also serve local families with access to Richmond Hill’s highly rated public schools.
Team, financing and timeline
ECI Construction is serving as general contractor for the project. Construction financing was provided by Synovus and CIBC. Retail pad sites are being marketed for ground lease by agents from a local brokerage, and the developer expects to deliver pad‑ready retail sites in Q1 2026 to allow tenants to start build‑out. ECI has been active in the larger metro since 2015 and operates as a fully integrated real estate firm with development, construction, investment and property management groups.
Why this site
The developer cites continued job growth across the regional market—especially in industrial and logistics—as well as population increases in Richmond Hill as reasons for building mixed‑use product at this location. The site’s I‑95 access, proximity to employers and high‑visibility frontage on Ford Avenue are positioned as benefits for potential retail tenants and future residents.
Other background
The developer’s portfolio spans thousands of units across the Southeast and Texas. Recent corporate capital activity reported elsewhere included a significant equity infusion that the company is using to fund growth and platform expansion over the coming years. The firm has both built and acquired projects in the region previously.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Averly Richmond Hill?
It is a mixed‑use development under construction by ECI Group on Ford Avenue in Richmond Hill, featuring multifamily apartments, three‑bedroom townhomes, and ground‑level retail pad sites.
How many homes will be built?
The project will deliver 291 residential units in total: 243 apartment homes and 48 townhomes.
How big are the units?
Apartment units range from about 770 to 1,449 square feet. Townhomes are roughly 1,851 to 1,984 square feet.
When will retail pad sites be ready?
The developer plans to deliver pad‑ready retail sites in Q1 2026 for tenants to begin build‑out.
Who is building and financing the project?
ECI Construction is the general contractor. Construction financing came from Synovus and CIBC.
Are the retail sites available for lease now?
Retail pad sites are being marketed for ground lease. Interested parties should contact the listed brokers for more details.
What amenities will residents have?
An 8,400‑square‑foot clubhouse, fitness center, co‑working space, automated package facility, pool, dog park and two courtyards are part of the planned amenity package.
Key project features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project name | The Averly Richmond Hill |
| Developer / Owner | ECI Group |
| Project cost | $60 million |
| Total residential units | 291 (243 apartments; 48 townhomes) |
| Apartment sizes | Approx. 770 to 1,449 sq ft |
| Townhome sizes | Approx. 1,851 to 1,984 sq ft |
| Retail land | 3.5+ acres of pad sites for ground lease; two parcels for ground‑level retail |
| Pad delivery | Pad‑ready delivery targeted Q1 2026 |
| Site location | Ford Avenue, Richmond Hill, GA; less than 1 mile from I‑95 |
| Site size | Reported 30 acres |
| General contractor | ECI Construction |
| Lenders | Synovus and CIBC |
| Marketing agents (retail pads) | Local brokerage team representing retail ground leases |
| Traffic | Reported >15,000 vehicles per day |
| Nearby employers | Major regional employers in industrial, aerospace, port and military sectors |
| Resident amenities | Clubhouse, fitness center, co‑working, pool, dog park, package facility, courtyards |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Savannah Business Journal: ECI Group breaks ground on $60M mixed-use
- Wikipedia: The Averly Richmond Hill
- Multihousing News: $60M Savannah mixed-use project breaks ground
- Google Search: Averly Richmond Hill ECI Group
- WRenews: ECI Group breaks ground on Savannah-area mixed-use development
- Google Scholar: Averly Richmond Hill mixed-use
- ConnectCRE: ECI building apartment + retail project in Savannah
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Richmond Hill Georgia
- SavannahNow: Residential and commercial growth in Richmond Hill
- Google News: Averly Richmond Hill
Author: Construction CA News
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